May 25, 2015
Dear
Everyone:
Happy
25th anniversary you guys [mom and dad]! I hope you have a great day and get to
enjoy it. I’m glad everything is going good at home. That’s crazy about Jonathan’s
school. I don’t even understand why kids that age would do that. Plus there isn’t
even racial inequality over there! Someone needs to smack those kids. That’s
crazy Edmonds School District has gone off the deep end. Why would they even
give those kids a microphone?
Oh well, things are
decent here, Roberto isn’t doing so well were gonna go see him Tuesday to see
how he’s been. The doctors say it’s gonna be really hard to treat him because
apparently he doesn’t have any veins anymore from all his former drug abuse. He’s
still really swollen and they can’t to anything to fix his kidneys until the
swelling goes down.
This week was pretty
calm. We had some cool experiences, We found a new investigator named Carelia.
She moved here recently and actually had listened to the missionaries before,
and she contacted us in the street so that was pretty cool. Her husband used to
beat her and so she moved away with here 3 kids who are 7, 5 and 1 years old.
We already have a baptismal date with her for June 13th, so she’s really
excited about that.
We taught another lady a
week ago named Gabriela and taught about how to pray and how she can help her
kids by receiving guidance through prayer (her son wanted to drop out of school
and work construction). We went back with her the other day and said that like
a little bit after her prayer to help her son stay in school, he comes home
from work and tells her he wants to keep studying. So that was pretty cool.
Rebeca (less active from
another area) called me this last week to tell me that she’s reactivated now
and is going with the missionaries to visit people, also that she wanted to
thank me for finally finding her. I told you guys the story a while ago about
how we called her by name and she felt really special like The Lord was calling
her. So that was nice.
Also we taught Wendy and
her family again this week. It was a pretty good lesson, and they invited us to
eat some really expensive fish that supposedly is like 50 bucks for a pound. It
was good, and while we were eating Edwin (my convert) told me that his wife had
just got back from Arizona and wants to get baptized! So that was really
awesome news. I hope I’ll be able to make it to her baptism.
We had lots of success
this week. I’m learning a lot in my studies. My new favorite chapter in the BOM
is 2 Nefi 2. I think the “Fall” is like the coolest subject ever. Plus they
said in General Conference that in order to understand the Atonement we have to
understand the Fall, so I’ve been studying that pretty in depth recently and I’ve
learned a lot of stuff.
Like how the tree of life
was also in the Garden of Eden along with the forbidden fruit. That without
temptation we can’t have agency, and without the fall there is no salvation.
How Jesus was the only one who could pay the price for our sins and our fallen
state because he wasn’t born of a man and was the only one who could overcome
the fall because of his divine nature. Lots of stuff. Too much to explain.
I’ve been having some
interesting conversations with a return missionary in this ward. He’s super
cool and we talk a lot about gospel stuff. There are some subjects we’ve talked
about, and I wanted to see if you guys or Josh have any insights on what we’ve
talked about. 1) The more sure word of prophecy (D&C 131 5 and D&C 132:
29 and 49.) We’ve also been talking about a bunch of stuff in the book The Teachings
of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Tell Josh as well to send me his take on it, or
any cool stuff he learned in the mission.
I’m glad you guys are
doing good. Thanks for all the support. Tell Josh, Joe, Jonathan, and Jace to
write me. I wanna know what they’re doing. I hope you guys get to go on your
trip soon, and that everything goes well in your work Dad. It sounds like you
guys are having fun and keeping busy. I’ll teach Joe some Spanish so he can
talk to the Mexicans in his yard work.
Also my other package
got here! Thanks for the watch its super awesome! And the brownies. We’re gonna
get diabetes down here! I wish I could write everything and tell you guys
everything we’ve been doing but it’s just too much ahah.
Thanks for writing!! Love
you guys! Have a good week
June 1, 2015
Dear
Everyone:
I’m
glad everything went over well with your work dad! That’s a big relief. It’s
always good to hear that you guys are doing good! Great blessings. That sounds
like the lake will be a blast this summer. I miss wakeboarding and snowboarding
but, oh well, There’s always next summer.
It’s really hot here. I’m
definitely not going to miss this when I get home. Changes are next week so
well see if I get to go to Mazatlan where its way prettier and colder aha. But
we’ll see. Things are good here nothing really noteable happened this week. It’s
kinda tough because it’s so hot that no one is outside so we can’t really
contact in the street. And the investigators we do have we don’t see very often
so that sucks. But were still searching. I’m trying to stay motivated in this
heat.
Yeah I remember a decent
amount about the temple, I think. Haha. But yeah its interesting. Also I read
that talk already about the more sure word of prophesy. It’s really interesting
and helpful! Also I’ve listened to some sweet talks by Bruce R McConkie about
the fall its really interesting.
That’s exciting that joe
is graduating! Time is passing by really quickly. Plus Jared goes home this
week and Jordan in 2 months and then ME! hahha. I have some funny videos to
send to this week of chino (the 41 year old obese man who frequently escapes
from his house) ahah. I don’t have that many funny stories this week but I sort
of have one it may not be super appropriate.
Things are very normal
here, my birthday was cool we did divisions with the ZLs the day before. And I
didn’t tell anyone it was my b-day because I don’t really care too much about
it. But they said we were doing a contacting activity as a district, and all
ended up coming over to our house with a cake. Sang me happy b-day and we ate
and talked for a while ahah. I didn’t get my face shoved in the cake this time
though.
Afterwards we went to
the hospital and visited Roberto. He’s doing better, a lot less swollen. But
still really sick, but he’s getting there. I don’t expect he´ll be leaving
super soon, but were hoping for the best. But President and Sister Velez called
me and sang me happy birthday, and I learned that I have the same b-day as P.
Velez so that was cool.
Very normal week, miss
you guys hope everything keeps going well! Also Elder L. Tom Perry died so that’s
sad.
Also we had ward
conference this weekend and our church attendance jumped from 45ish to 112! Crazy
ahha. Lot’s of less actives and investigators. Also we know a guy that trains
roosters for cockfighting he has like 100 in the back of his house ahha.
They’re pretty strong and muscle-y
June 8, 2015
Dear Everyone:
This is the family were
teaching [picture above in the blog] and they all came to church. It was pretty
great. We did have changes. My companion left and now I’m with Elder Trillo. He’s
from Peru and I’m the district leader here now. So that’s kinda cool. It’s
really, really hot here.
That’s awesome that you
guys are doing good. Tell joe congrats for graduating seminary and high school
ahah. Too bad they didn’t go to prom though but it’s kinda overrated anyways.
Is Jared back yet? Or does he still have a little bit more to go? Time is
passing by pretty quick here but I’m sort of bummed because of how hot it is.
Nothing too noteable
happened this week, really normal. We taught lots of good lessons though and
this family is progressing a lot. We’ll hope to see them get baptized in a few weeks!
I’m trying to think of things that have happened this week and I really can’t
think of anything. Said goodbye to lots of member with my companion.
We did divisions with
the assistants which was cool it was pretty fun. We did it for only half the day.
But I learned a lot. I think they’re planning on putting more missionaries in
this area, and they just came to check it out. But I think after this change I’ll
be out of here ahha.
That’s good you guys are
getting good weather over there. It sounds pretty awesome. After the mission I’ll
probably never ever move to a hot place to live. Only the cold for me. No funny
stories this week. We’re gonna be seeing lots of success soon!
Love you guys take care.
Elder Latimer
June 15, 2015
Dear
Everyone:
This week was pretty awesome we were working hard. We found
lots of new people to teach so that was awesome. And the whole family were
teaching came to church again and we’ve been having really awesome lessons with
them! They’re all gonna get baptized this week, so that’s 5 baptisms! They’re
really cool.
People here are never on
time. We had a ward activity and we invited the family. It was supposed to
start at 7 and we get there at 6:45 and no one is there and the church isn’t
even open. So we have to open it and clean it and then the family we’re
teaching gets there and we have to tell them that it really starts at 8. It
sucked but it turned out really well they had a lot of fun.
They have also been
staying for all the classes at church and the 2 parents went with the little
girl to primary because she would cry if they left here alone, but they really
liked it and said they learned a lot so I’m really excited to be teaching them
their last name is Lizarraga.
That’s awesome Joe
graduated, tell him congrats! He’ll have fun working with all the guys ahha, I
hope. That sounds like a fun job id totally take it and just talk with all the
Mexicans the whole time. Haha. But as far as eating habits go I’ve kinda gotten
used to it with some of my companions especially my current one. I have NEVER
heard anyone eat so loudly. I don’t understand how it can be done naturally. It
sounds like he’s trying to smack his food ahah. He’s a good guy though.
We have had some really
good experiences this week we started teaching this lady we found named Lizbeth
and we haven’t really even taught her that much and she already has a baptismal
date. She’s really cool. She saw the picture of God and Jesus when they
appeared to Joseph Smith, and she’s like, “I wanna feel this light. I’ve felt
it before, I know. How can I feel it again?” ahah. It was a really cool
experience.
That’s cool you got to
see Abby. There’s lots of people from the stake serving missions. You guys
should send me a list of where everyone has gone. I only have like 9 months
left in the mission because I go home a little early. Time is going by really
fast.
Nothing really new to
report, or anything really crazy. Thanks for the spiritual insights. Also I
have a question: a lot of members here say that in the premortal life we chose
our families and parents. I’ve never read anything that says that, it might
just be Mormon myths. Haha. If you could send me your insights that would be
cool.
Love, Elder Latimer
P.S. Thanks for the
quote from Joseph F. Smith. I noticed lots of people had been saying that and I
was like, “I have never read that before.” ahah. It was weird because the
bishop said it in a lesson last night we taught to the Lizarraga family, and I
was just sitting there thinking, “that’s not true.”. ahhaha but it’s okay. I don’t’
have much more time to write. Sorry for changing my writing time on you guys.
My comp is from Peru and his family is on a different time zone so he like to
write early, but that’s for everything dad, you’re awesome!!! Have a good week.
June 22, 2015
Hey!
HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!!! It stinks I don’t get to call home for Fathers’ Day as
well but, ehh, what can you do? Sounds like it was fun. It kinda sucked here because
no one was really home Sunday, and everyone that was home was drunk.
The baptism wasn’t
planned for this week. It’s this Saturday. They’re progressing a lot! They all
go to church and always read and pray and their little 4 year old girl Jade is
learning the articles of faith! It’s a super awesome family. We actually hung
out with them today. We went to the mall and played pool and air hockey pretty
sweet day. And I bought a sick pair of cufflinks for like 10 dollars! It’s a
pretty great brand too. It was on a Fathers’ Day sale just one more gift Dad
will have to wait for.
This week was awesome we
had some really great success and I have a lot of crazy stories, but you have
to promise not to get worried because everything here is totally fine and
normal.
1) We have a new investigator
who is kinda funny. She’s had an addiction to meth for like 23 years on and
off. But she’s really cool and understands everything really well for having an
addiction like that for 23 years. But sometimes she says weird stuff, and
believes her stuffed animals are alive and when she leaves the house she turns
on the fan and puts it on them so they don’t get too hot aha.
2) This is the crazy
story but dont freak out! I wrote it but didn’t send it because I’m
wondering if i should just wait till after the mission to tell you guys. Just
tell me if you wanna here it or not. It’s really not that bad but I don’t know
you guys get to decide.
But other than that it
was a really normal week. I hope we can get this family baptized the kids all
want to. The mom still has some doubts about the virgin and the saints here.
But they’re such a great family, I know they’ll get baptized.
Everything is great
here, having lots of fun and success, but it’s really hot ahah. But well get
used to it I guess.
Roberto isn’t
progressing so much anymore. He’s kinda withdrawn. We’re not really sure why we
haven’t been able to talk to him very much. Also we saw him smoking and I think
he got embarrassed which is why he hasn’t been able to talk to us.
Sorry the letter is so
short most of it is based off the story. So let me know asap if you wanna here
it!
That’s crazy that Joe
and Tyler graduate and are heading off for college, and I’ll be up with them
during spring semester! I’m glad you’re all doing well. Any summer vacation
plans? Or just hangout up at the lake?
Miss you guys! Love you
all
THE STORY: So we went to the other elder’s area
to help them do some street contacts and me and another elder contacted a
family and were able to teach them a first lesson. And afterwards the dad asks
us if we want a ride home and we said okay.
Then he pulls out this
big cadillac escalade all black. And we get in and he immediately starts crying
and confesses that he’s part of the Mexican drug cartel and is a hit man and
all the people he’s killed. (But the good thing is he wants to change...)
But he keeps crying
talking about how he wants a better life for his family because he doesn’t want
to be in the cartel but he has to because he’s ___________’s cousin (huge drug
lord here; google him) and his family doesn’t know he’s in the cartel.
Then he passes by the
place where we wanted to get dropped off. and I was like, “hey, it’s back
there.... and he just keeps crying and just says, “no, I just wanna talk for a
bit.” So he takes us around for like 30 minutes driving super slow on the
highway just crying and talking about how he wants to change.
Then the worst part is
we saw a huge group of police eating at a taco stand, and he says, “I’m gonna
show you how corrupt the police are here.” He pulls up, rolls down his window,
and just sticks his hand out. And the head of the crew recognizes him immediately
and runs over.
Then he just asks him
where they’re working today, and how they need to check on some other people in
other neighborhoods and other stuff. I tried not to listen but I was in the
front seat hahha. And the other elder lets the inner missionary in him come out
and just says, “Hey how’s it going?” to the freaking corrupt police officer
ahah. I was just thinking DUDE SHUT YOUR MOUTH. ahhaha
Needless to say it was
very uncomfortable. Then he showed us his house, which was huge. And he just
says, “I can’t even live here because my enemies know where I live and if I
come here with my family they’ll kill us all.” But then he took us back.
The good news is that he
really likes us and wants us to teach his family and baptize his daughter. The
bad news is we’re not going too because I told the other elders it’s too
dangerous to be around him. Not because he’ll hurt us but because other people
might try to hurt him, and we might be there. The other good thing is that he
doesn’t live in our area.
But don’t worry! Every
thing is fine!!! We already told our leaders and everything so theres no need
to worry.
June 29, 2015
Dear Everyone:
Really, really crazy
week. Well not really, but sort of:
First the freaking
offices messed up with my visa, and lost the information I sent them or
something so my visa expired and passed the time period in which I could renew
it. So they told me I have 180 days to leave the country. I was super, super
bummed, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to finish the mission here, but
turns out they’re going to deport me to the U.S in October. BUT!!! The good
thing is its 80% chance that I’ll spend a week in the U.S and they’ll send me
back! So if you guys could pray and fast for that that would be great, so I don’t
get deported..... ahah that’s something kinda cool to check off my bucket list.
Get deported. The bad thing is that it will be harder to get a visa in the
future... but not impossible
Also the 3 kids from the
family are getting baptized July 4th FREEDOM!!!! So were pretty excited for
that. I’ll send you pictures, today we went and ate breakfast with them and
they gave me like 5 huge tacos of carne asada. I about died then we hung out
and played tons of games.
Also I bought a really
rare fruit that’s normally pretty expensive called a yaka! It’s really exotic
but I got it really cheap for like 80 pesos. It’s green and huge and it has
these little ball things inside that you eat and it’s called the fruit of 15
flavors! It literally tastes like 15 different fruits in one, and the meat
inside is really soft. It like dissolves in your mouth! It’s awesome.
Also we bought litchis!
Another weird fruit. It’s hard but inside its really soft and white, and sweet!
It’s like the fruit from Lehi’s dream! ahah It’s sort of like a grape but way
better.
We also got caught in a
crazy rainstorm it turned the whole highway into a river, and it happened in
only a few minutes and we had to take a taxi. I have a video I’ll send.
Also we got invited to a
missionary activity in the stake center and we didn’t even do anything. It was
supposed to me like a mini MTC/ multi zone conference and like 30 missionaries
and 15 youth came ahaha. So we didn’t do much but there was food so hey, not
too bad. But it was really funny because a Mexican Elder said to me in English
“this was a multi was my time” ahha I about died laughing.
I’m sad to hear about
the supreme court’s ruling. The only good thing is that the gays don’t get to
complain any more and will hopefully shut up. But it’s sad to see society’s
morals deteriorating. Surprisingly, I had never heard anything about it before
hand. Really sad actually. It’s just a huge door for destroying other basic
principles and values.
I don’t know if you guys have seen that
documentary on the Mormon channel on youtube called “Two Brothers?” It’s like
the story of the entire lives of a family and they video tape their whole lives
maybe you could watch that for a FHE.
I love you all take
care!!!
Elder Latimer
July 6, 2015
We got
the baptism! It was super awesome! We had so many people there that we couldn’t
fit them all in one room so we had to move to the chapel -- easily over 50 people were there. There were
more people there than there are on Sundays! It was great to baptize on 4th of
July, getting cleaned of sins and enjoying day of freedom!
It was a tough week as
far as teaching and finding goes because we had tons of stuff to do. The other
elders in the district had a baptism as well so we had lots of interviews and
planning. But the baptism was awesome. I got to baptize them which was a cool
experience. The hardest part about baptizing here is that Mexicans have like 5
names ahah so it’s hard to memorize them, because they keep the maiden name as
well.
But it was a cool
experience. After the baptism the two girls told me that when they went under
the water they felt really cool, and it felt like they had done it before. They
really liked it. After we finished changing they came out of the bathroom all
happy and saying, “haha we don’t have any sins!!” haha It was pretty cool. We
had lots of fun. Then my old companion Elder Thorpe got permission to come
confirm them the next day so that was cool.
Not a whole lot really
interesting happened this week. Today we had a carne asada with the elders in
the zone it was really poorly planned but super fun. They called me last minute
and were like, “Hey, Elder Latimer we need you to buy 600 pesos of meat for the
carne asada......” ahhaha but I didn’t I got them to pitch in.
And there’s am Elder
here that was a ballerina and taught ballet, and he did an interpretive dance.
ahha It was glorious. Then we played this game (I wont explain all the rules)
but basically at the end there are two people left and they have to arm wrestle
to win. And we didn’t have a table so we made a new Elder get down on his hands
and knees to be the table ahhhaha.
Being a District Leader
is okay. It’s not super exciting ahha. There are 6 missionaries in the district.
We were 8 but the sisters area got closed. I was sad Boyd K. Packer died he was
such a stud. I actually just finished reading his general conference talk when
I heard the news. Pretty sad but it’ll be interesting to see some new apostles.
I was so jealous seeing
those 4th of July videos. There’s no freedom here. ahha No there is, but I like
bugging the members here. Every house we go to I just shook their hands and
said, “you’re welcome.” Then they’d ask why and I would say, "for all the
freedom! BACK TO BACK WORLD WAR CHAMPS!!!" They didnt really appreciate
it.
That’s cool Torri and
Rex are going to Machu Pichu. My comp is from Peru so he’s told me quite a bit
about it. Maybe I’ll go visit him when I have money... But my Spanish has
gotten to the point where I want it to be! Twice this week people mistook me
for being from Argentina. So I’m pretty stoked about that I lost my
accent.
Also on the 4th I woke
up and just sang the national anthem really loudly at my comp and “America the
Beautiful,” had to let him get a sense of what real freedom is ahha.
But all in all it was an
awesome week. No crazy stories but that’s how it went down!!!
Elder Latimer
July 13, 2015
Dear
Everyone:
haha I
knew he [El Chapo] escaped, because here there’s like cars that drive around
with recordings that just yell about whatever their selling fruit tortillas
water etc. But there’s this hilarious newspaper called “La I” ahha. Dudes ride
around in bicycles blasting a little recording of a guy screaming super loud
about the news.
They yell things like, “NOOO,
NOOO, THE DEVIL IS RUNNING LOOSE IN CULIACAN 5 DEAD! ONLY GOD CAN SAVE US.”
aahha. It’s so funny I’ll send you a video. But we were in our personal study
and about 8:30 in the morning we just hear it yelling, “NOOO NOOOO
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! EL CHAPO SE ESCAPO!!!!!!!” hahahhahah I died laughing.
But I don’t think it
will change much. His "prison" where he was kept was a huge sweet
house ahha and he’s escaped 3 times before so I don’t think it was his genius
plan. Just he got bored and left and him and the government covered it up
and said he escaped ahah. He really has a ridiculous amount of money. Also
I think I told you this already but I know and have a picture with Chapo Guzman’s
cousin ahah. So maybe I’ll get to finally meet El Chapo.
Things are really good
here, kind of a slow week because we dropped a bunch of investigators and it’s
hotter than Africa. But the family Mariano Lizarraga is awesome. They really
like us. They ALWAYS invited us over for dinner and give us so much food.
I told them that its
possible they’ll change me this next week and the little 4 year old jade
started crying. Then the mom said she was gonna fast and ask God to keep me here
so I can baptize her and her husband ahha. It’s a pretty sweet family.
The kids have pretty
good testimonies as well, they had a cool experience when their car broke down
in the middle of nowhere and they said a prayer and a guy like 17 years old
came up on a motorcycle and helped them find a repair place.
I kinda want to leave to
get to know other parts hopefully Cabo, or Mazatlan because I’ve been here in
Culiacan forever. But I also want to stay because this family is super awesome
and we still need to get the mom and dad baptized ahah.
The family reunion
sounds fun! What are you guys gonna do? Anything planned? Where is it gonna be?
Things here are pretty
calm but changes are this week so I’ll let you know where I go.Not sure what
else has been going on. I’ve only got like 8 months left so that’s cool.
Miss you guys!!
Elder Latimer
PS: I bought a sweet
straight edge razer like James Bond and I’m starting to shave with it. It takes
forever but I feel super sophisticated when I use it.
July 20, 2015
Dear
Everyone:
I got
changed! I’m in downtown Culiacan! It’s pretty sweet. I was hoping to go to
Mazatlan or Los Cabos but because I’m gonna get deported I think president
decided to keep me close so they wouldn’t have to pay a bunch of money. Also
I’m training again! So that’s cool his name is Elder Mendez, but I still don’t
know him. In a few more hours, I will.
This week was pretty
sweet. This last pday was the bees knees! The ZLs told us we were gonna go give
service to a family as a zone so we went. But it was basically a huge lie. They
took us super far away to an amazing place called Imala. You should look it up.
It’s one of Mexico’s magical cities. It has the oldest Catholic church in Sinoloa.
But anyways, we went all
the way there in a little truck packed with 14 people, and 12 of them being
missionaries. And we got their ate seviche which is shrimp cooked in lime sauce
so it’s basically raw. But they gave us a soy version of it. But it was pretty
good. Then we filled up their pool with huge hose and had a huge water fight.
It was a super fun day. We didn’t get back to the house until like 9:30.
Definitely a pday to remember.
Also you guys know that
Chapo Guzman escaped from jail but the people love him here. They freaking held
worship services in some Catholic churches to protect him so that he would be
okay and whatever. But I kinda understand because the day after they did that
Chapo paid off EVERYONES debts to this huge business called Coppel. It’s like a
huge franchise store like Walmart. And it’s like a ridiculous amount of money,
99% of all Mexicans owe money to the Coppel. He also paid everyone’s electricity
bills ahahah. So that’s why the people love him.
And I love him too...
ahhah Not really. But
then I had to say goodbye to everyone in the ward which was sad. I really like
this ward. And then saying goodbye to the family Mariano Lizarraga. They’re
such awesome people. We ate dinner with them and talked for a long time. It was
a sad goodbye but the good thing is that I’m really close still so I’ll get to
see them every once in a while. They also gave me a sweet Argentina soccer
jersey.
So it was a pretty great
week all in all. I’m excited about my new area, but it’ll be weird because I’m
the district leader of the Zone leaders and the assistants to the president
ahah. But it’s a cool area. It’s all downtown Culiacan and a little more. Tons
of sweet stuff goes down here. There are also a few famous Catholic churches in
my area. One has a giant staircase, and frequently people crawl up it on their
knees so that the virgin Guadalupe helps them. So maybe I’ll try it one pday
ahah.
Mom that’s a sweet trek
story! I miss trek and all the youth activities. I’m glad to hear everyone is
doing good. Time is flying by over here, but I’m having lots of fun. have some interesting questions for dad but I already
sort of have the answer:
The Holy Ghost is a
personage but does not possess a body. Will he one day receive a body and
progress further or will he remain an exalted spirit that just serves God
forever? Because apparently you can become exalted in whatever sphere or world
or dominion you live it. For example it says in Jesus The Christ in the first 2
chapters that Lucifer held and exalted position in the councils in heaven. So
he was exalted in spiritual form, but it wasn’t the same level of exaltation
that God has because he has a resurrected body.
Love,
Elder Latimer
July 27, 2015
Dear
all:
Well
mom I’ve always sort of been in Culiacan haha, but now I’m just downtown. So I’ve
gotten to know the city really well. Our area is pretty cool. I think i already
told you it’s all of downtown, and the church where we go is the first Mormon
church ever in Culiacan so that’s cool.
The bad thing about our
area is that there are a lot of people, but the majority don’t live here (they
just have their businesses here) so there’s not too many houses. Well there
are, you just have to look a little bit harder for them. I like it because it’s
all concrete and it’s got that cool city vibe.
E. Mendez is from Tijuana.
He’s my third native speaking companion. The first was E. Moya (step father) who
is from Mexico City, and E. Trillo who is from Peru. It’s fun having a native
companion. We have been having a good time. We’re living where the sisters used
to live, and they left it super messy… but it’s cool cuz we cleaned it. We
found sweat stained bras and other nasty stuff... ahahha
Opening an area is kinda
hard but it’s okay because the members have helped us a lot. We found a guy
named Eduardo who is like 20 years old, and he called us over in the street and
was really interested and asked if he could get baptizsed and go on a mission! So
that’s a good start. He’s got a baptismal date and everything. So not too bad
for our first week.
The people down town are
way more Catholic than in other parts of Culiacan, probably because the 2
biggest and most famous Catholic churches in the state are here ahah. But it
was the first time in the mission when people have just straight out rejected
us.
I went to go ask an old
lady the name of the street where we were on in order to find a member’s house
and she just started yelling "nope! nope! I’m catholic. I don’t want
anything. I don’t like your religion" and I was like "Okay, I just
wanna know the name of the street" and again she just said "Nope
Nope!" ahah. Finally the member who was with us was like "we just
wanna know the street name!" and she was like "oh..... its Benito Juarez...."
ahhah
She really thought we
were trying to get in the door, but that’s happend like 2 or 3 times this week.
So its chill.
Things are going kinda
slow but they’re going good. Time is flying by. I also bought myself new boots
to work with, they’re for diabetics and they’re super comfortable! I could walk
all day in these babies.
Sounds like you guys are
having a lot of fun up there. I miss the lake and you guys, and Oliver ahah He’s
such a derp. I’m glad everything is going good over there. Not a whole lot to
report, just trying to get through this last heat wave, only like 2 or 3 months
of heat ahha.
I’m having a good time though.
Also some Christian dude tried telling me that paying tithing wasn’t biblical,
and I totally showed him up in the street with Hebrews 7! ahha So that was fun.
I learned that talking with those kind of people is that whenever you prove
them wrong they just change the subject ahah. But it’s okay. I don’t think he
will progress.
I want to live in the Ridge
when I get back, or I don’t know living with Jordan and Jared would be cool
too. I feel like I’ve still got a decent amount of time to think about it only
8 months left! Seems like I just got here.
Love you all!
Elder Latimer
August 3, 2015
Hello!
This week was pretty calm nothing really new to tell. We’ve found a couple
people to teach. It’s still going slow because our area is the downtown area
but its chill because we always see super expensive cars and crazy stuff
ahah.
We’ve been having lots
of fun. We always eat with the Assistants so it’s fun eating with 4
missionaries again. We did this super sick rendition of a Child’s prayer by
playing our name tags as kazzoos ahah. Its super sick. We spent like 30 minutes
practicing, Obvious we have nothing to do ahah.
We had a couple of cool
spiritual experiences. We were walking in the street yesterday, and this guy
comes up to us, and is just like "what can you tell me about your church
and Joseph Smith? I’ve been reading the book of mormon and I want to know
more" ahah So we took him to the church and taught him. It was pretty
sweet, but he doesnt live in our area. But that’s okay it was still fun.
Also this week I bought
some new shoes, and they’re super comfy. They’re designed for diabetics! ahah They’re
pretty sturdy too so I’m walking on clouds over here. We went to go play pool
and bowling today and the family Lizarraga was there so it was cool seeing them
again. The new Elder that is there teaching them is Elder Lopez but the little
girl Jade calls him Elder Latimer Lopez ahah.
That’s super cool that
Ashtin and Abby got their calls! Crazy how Jordan and Jared are all back, but
only 8 more months for me. Time is going by pretty fast so I don’t worry too
much. But it’s freaking hotter than Satan’s gym shorts over here! It was like
115 all week ahah. I’m cookin’ over here.
Lots of drunk people
like talking to us, and they always say ridiculous things. One guy told me my
life destiny was to preach the word of Joseph Smith and the word of God ahahah.
But I learned that whenever you want to finish a conversation with anyone here
you just have to say. "Primero Dios" ahah which is “God first,”
ahah and they just shut up and say "see ya later"
ahha I love that here.
There are so many funny things they say here, like whatever little thing you
say to them they’ll just respond "if God wants it." Like you’ll say
"see you at church!" and they’ll respond like that. The members don’t
but our investigators do ahha.
That’s cool you could
get the family together, sounds like everyone is doing great. I’m having lots
of fun, and enjoying the last stretch of the mission, its gone by really fast
and its going by even faster now.
Also I’ve gotten into
this sweet Spanish Christian music ahah, The things the mission does to
you.
Have a great week!
Elder Latimer
August 10, 2015
This week was pretty
good. We have found some new people to teach. We found a really great family
and they’re super awesome and we had a great first lesson. But the second time
we went they told us that the dad hates the missionaries and doesn’t want us to
visit them. They said they’ll keep reading and praying but he won’t let them
listen to us.
Actually when the sister
missionaries visited them before, the dad put soap all over the stairs and one
of the sisters fell all the way to the bottom. ahha I laughed but it’s sad. Hopefully
a little further down the road he´ll let them listen.
Also I got invited to a
special leaders conference in the mission. I was the only district leader
there, and all the rest were zone leaders. I was confused at first because Pte.
Velez invited me to share my testimony there and I assumed there would be other
DLs there.
But it was weird because
in the beginning one of the Assistants, just says in the middle of their
presentation, "Everyone look at Elder Latimer. That’s my district leader
and he’s freaking awesome.” He didn’t say “freaking awesome” but still it was
weird, and he said I was a good DL and stuff.
Then like an hour later
Pte Velez is like "Elder Latimer stand up, everyone, he’s here because he’s
freaking awesome etc, etc." ahhaha Not really, but it was weird but also
cool. Apparently he invited me there because I’m the DL of the Assistants and I
don’t treat them differently than the other missionaries. I didn’t know I was
that awesome, so it was good to get that confirmation/revelation directly from
the President ahah. I basically consider that it came from the mouth of The
Lord. I hope that doesn’t make me an apostate. Needless to say I’m going to
study more about humility this week ahah.
They talked about how
sometimes as leaders we skip the needs of the missionaries and go straight to
the numbers, but when we ask for their numbers we shouldn’t focus on the fact
that their numbers were low, but why they were low.
For example, they might
be frustrated, not studying well, etc. I really liked that sometimes we do that
with people. We focus on their actions and things they say, but we never think
about what would make them say or do those things. Or, I guess, the real cause
of their actions/problems etc. (however you want to apply it)
Also we were struggling
with street contacts but the Spirit was able to guide us. The other day like 4
people in a row rejected us, but the 5th person I almost decided not to talk to
her. But something told me we should, so we stopped and started talking to her
and she has gone to institute before with her friends and has a Book of Mormon
and said we could visit her! So that was cool, we could see the blessings from
being diligent.
Also we got to talk in
church on Sunday about missionary work. It was really good. And for the first
time in the mission, our talks seemed to have an effect on the ward! Afterward
the members were super excited to work with us, and gave us a couple of references!
Pretty successful week.
Today we went to the
batting cages and I totally realized I shouldn’t go back to school and instead
I should try to walk on to an MLB team. Because I was killing it ahah. It was
pretty fun. It’s nice not being the only missionaries in the ward.
Time is passing by
pretty quick, and yes, mom, I’m training again. Things are going really good
here, Kinda slow in terms of finding really awesome people to teach but, were
working hard and seeing the fruits.
Its hot, but I’m kinda
getting used to it. Crazy that it’s my last summer here. In October and November
it will still be hot but more around 80 degrees so not horrible, just 2 more
months of crazy hot, and I’ll come home when its nice out.
Mom that’s an awesome
experience you had! That’s pretty cool that you could help her. Youth
conference, EFY, scouts etc are some of the best activities ever and are some
of the best memories I have. So it’s really cool to still be able to
participate in them
I miss you guys, and
miss being at the lake and going snowboarding and all the family vacations. But
I’ll be able to do all of that soon. I don’t really need anything right now. If
you could put some money on my card that would be nice. I need to buy a few
little things. Also could you send some pictures of stuff that’s going on, and
from past family vacations? You can do it through email if you want.
Thanks for everything! I
hope you guys have a good week!
Love Elder Latimer
August 17, 2015
I’m
getting deported this Wednesday!!! I’m leaving the country for 2 days with
another Elder named Elder Wright!!! So that will be fun. We get to go over
there for 2 days hang out hopefully go to the temple and what not so it’ll be a
great adventure. The best news is I get to come back to the mission! But I’ll
make sure to call you guys and tell you what’s up.
So that’s pretty crazy.
This week was pretty great. We got caught in a crazy rain storm, found and new
family to teach (less actives), played pool, and sweated like pigs in the
street! Pretty normal week. Everything is going great not a whole lot to talk
about.
Today was fun we went
and played pool, and the Lizarraga family came to and played. It was great
seeing them again, we had lots of fun. And the little girl jade bought me a stuffed
animal, Bullseye from toy story. I love seeing them they are such an awesome
family. Also Kennedy received the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday so I was pretty
stoked. Also Wendy and Chantal told me that they want to have a calling in the
church! I’m glad they they’re still active.
I can’t really think of
interesting things that happened this week. Also here people always say
"God first" or "if God wants" as like a way to say goodbye
and we always laugh about it, and I actually started saying it too. It’s kinda
funny. But i figured out why they say it!!! There’s a single verse in 1st
Corinthians and has that phrase. I found it in my personal study. ahha so that
was fun.
I miss you guys, and
Jordan and Jared and Ryan and Ben and Alex and Jeff and etc. It makes me
anxious knowing that they’re all home. Makes me a little trunky. It’s like when
you’re late to a party and you know everyone else is there, you just wanna get
there as fast as you can. But just a few more months.
I’m glad you guys are
having, fun. I don’t really need anything at the moment. You can send pictures,
and maybe some cool ties, more like cheezy ones like of the mariners or
seahawks stuff like that. I’m looking for a place here that does cool designs
for scripture cases lots of missionaries have them here and I want one too. Here’s
a couple of ideas.
You can make your own
there and I’d really like ones for my triple and bible.
I was gonna ask dad
about this whole doctrine about shaking the dust from your feet, it talks about
it in the bible and D&C but nothing specific. I think only apostles can do
it, but idk lots of people have their own ideas about it, just wondering if
there has been modern revelation about it? I’ll look in lds.org later
for it.
But I’m having a blast
down here. Oh yeah I fought the 1 headed dragon this week. It sucked because I
eat a lot of spicy food now. I got used to it, so I always add cerrano and
jalapeño peppers to my food and stuff like that. But our investigator opened a
coconut with a dirty machete in the street and we ate it all ahah and drank all
the water so we got kinda sick.
But if having diarheea
(dont know how to spell it in English) wasn’t bad enough mine was like pooping
out a smoothie of pepper spray! Freaking hot. I was sweating so bad ahhah.
(thats my spiritual experience for the week) I wanted to cry but I didn’t
because it kinda made me laugh.
Any who love you guys a
lot and thanks for writing me!!!
Elder Latimer
